A solar array on the roof of the Academic Podium at the University at Albany, seen in 2022.

New York’s students walk into school buildings every morning with big dreams. But too many of those buildings across every region of the state are simply not built for the realities of today — or the climate of tomorrow.

If we’re serious about student health, academic success and meeting New York’s clean-energy goals, we need a statewide investment that matches the scope of the challenge. A Carbon Free and Healthy Schools Bond Act is that investment.

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According to state facilities data, the average school building in New York was already over 50 years old as of 2005. Many were constructed in the 1950s through the 1970s, long before modern ventilation standards, reliable cooling or energy-efficient design. National data tells a similar story: The average U.S. instructional school building is now 49 years old, with 38% built before 1970.

When buildings are this old, they weren’t designed for the........

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